The Year..: 2014 is the year of ENDKILL. A 365 day journey into my research archive and active agenda, reflecting on what we know and do not know about mass atrocities and how to stop them (delivered once weekly so as not to burden the viewer/reader/audience).

Three years of U.S. Action/Inaction on Darfur, 2004-2007

The following is a chronology and brief summary of U.S. government action on the issue of Darfur in Sudan. The points below include U.S. action before the United Nations, actions taken by the U.S. Congress and the actions and words of Administration officials. Why the listing? Well, it is frequently said that nothing is done. This is not completely true. Much of what is done has little to no effect.

2004April

U.S. pressed for the first UN Security Council press statement on Darfur.[1]

June

Secretary Powell traveled to Khartoum and Darfur, Sudan.

UN: the U.S. and U.K. introduced UN Security Council Resolution 1547.

The resolution establishes a UN Special Representative of the Secretary General and creates a UN political office in Sudan.

American officials warn of genocide.

"I can tell you that we see indicators of genocide and there is evidence that points in that direction," said Pierre Prosper, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes. Prosper said the U.S. government was "actively reviewing" the possibility that genocide was taking place in the Darfur region.

July 2

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell returns from a visit to Sudan

Powell told the Khartoum government that it can only expect normalization of relations with the U.S. if it makes immediate efforts to rein in the Arab militias in Darfur. Powell met in talks with Secretary General Annan and Sudanese government officials about the situation in Darfur and the obstacles faced by humanitarian workers in distributing aid.

July 22

Congress passed a unanimous, bipartisan, bicameral resolution declaring that the conflict in Darfur is genocide.[2]

The resolution passed 422-0 in the House of Representatives and passed without dissent in the Senate.

July 29

UN: the U.S. sponsored Security Council Resolution 1556, threatening sanctions against Sudan if the government does not pull back militias in Darfur.

The U.S. later softened the wording of the resolution after some members of the U.N. Security Council expressed concerns over the word "sanctions."

The Resolution demanded that the Government of the Sudan disarm the Janjaweed militias, apprehend and bring to justice its leaders and their associates who had incited and carried out violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as other atrocities in the country’s Darfur region.

o The Council decided that all States would take the necessary measures to prevent the sale or supply to all non-governmental entities and individuals, including the Janjaweed, operating in North, South and West Darfur by their nationals or from their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft and related materials of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts, whether or not originating in their territoriesSeptember

Secretary Powell met with SPLM Chairman Garang in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1564 on Darfur.

The Resolution declared that, should the Sudan fail to comply fully with resolution 1556 of July 30th or to cooperate with the expansion and extension of the AU monitoring presence in Darfur, it would consider taking additional measures, including sanctions, to affect Sudan’s oil sector and the Government or its individual members. The Council also requested the Secretary-General to rapidly establish an international commission of inquiry, which would immediately investigate reports of human rights violations in Darfur, and determine whether acts of genocide had occurred there.

Secretary of State Colin Powell testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that genocide is occurring in Darfur.[4] He also stated, “no new action is dictated by this determination.”

UN: the U.S. circulated draft resolution threatening Sudan with sanctions

US put forward a UN draft resolution threatening Sudan with sanctions on its oil. This was adopted, in modified form, on September 13, 2004 as Resolution 1564.[5]

(Under pressure from China, the U.S. eased its threat of oil sanctions against Sudan, revising its motion to the Security Council to say the UN "shall consider" punitive action, rather than "will take.")

November

Secretary Powell dispatched a U.S. team to discuss security arrangements with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army Front Commanders.

UN: under the U.S. Presidency, the UN Security Council held an extraordinary session in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss Sudan.

The parties signed a Declaration, witnessed by the Security Council, to finish the final comprehensive agreement by the end of 2004.

Secretary Powell met with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Chairman Mirghani. President Bush called President Bashir and SPLM Chairman Garang.

December

The parties completed the permanent ceasefire and implementation modalities. President Bush signed the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act.

In 2005, the U.S. provided over 60% of aid to Darfur and 50% of overall Sudan aid.

The U.S. instituted a $16.4 million humanitarian campaign to prevent rape, treat victims, build crisis centers, and educate local populations over the last 6 months.

January

U.S. helped broker the Comprehensive Peace Agreement

The CPA was between North and South Sudan, ending 21 years of civil war. It was signed in January 2005.

March

U.S. assistance of $17.85 million for Sudanese refugees in Chad

U.S. announced contribution of $17.85 million to the UNHCR for assistance and protection of Sudanese who have sought refuge in Chad.[7]

March 2

(did not pass) Darfur Accountability Act

S. 495: introduced on March 2, 2005, by former Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ). There were 40 senators who co-sponsored the bill.

The bill would direct the president to identify and target individuals responsible for the genocide in Darfur. The United States would freeze assets and deny visas to these individuals.

Although the bill did not pass, it helped to set the stage for further legislation on the situation.

March 17

(did not pass) Darfur Genocide Accountability Act

H.R. 1424: introduced by Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ). There were 138 co-sponsors of the bill.

Although the bill never passed, it provided a powerful precedent for future congressional action. The Act called for targeted sanctions against Sudanese government officials, authorized the president to use force to stop the genocide, and denied port entry to ships engaged in business in the oil sector of Sudan.

The DGAA gave way to the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act.

March 31

U.S. abstained on Security Council Resolution 1593 (which passed) authorizing referral of the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court.

The U.S. administration reportedly agreed to abstain after Britain brokered a late-hour compromise adding language to the resolution addressing U.S. concerns about the ICC’s jurisdiction over nonparties to its statute.

The Act restates the U.S. government’s position that the Darfur conflict constitutes genocide, asks the government to expand the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur (AMIS) and give the force a stronger mandate, including more generous logistical support. It also directs the government to assist the International Criminal Court to bring justice to those guilty of war crimes in Darfur.

December

U.S. Congress rejected Condolezza Rice’s request to restore $50 million in aid to the African Union that human rights groups say had been cut from the budget in November.

2006February

UN: U.S. offered motioni to begin plans to send UN peacekeepers to Darfur

as the United States began its month-long presidency of the UN Security Council, it offered a motion to begin plans to send UN peacekeepers to Darfur. The Security Council agreed unanimously to begin the planning process to send the troops, with a final decision to come later. It called for a 12,000 to 20,000 troop presence in Darfur with the 7,000 African Union troops already there being given new weapons and being incorporated into the UN mission.

The resolution urged the president to take several steps to protect civilians in Darfur. Among these recommendations is proposing to NATO that they consider deploying troops to Darfur and providing logistical support to any UN mission. The resolution also calls on the UN Security Council to approve a force in Darfur in the near future.

Although this resolution is nonbinding, it provides a powerful sense of Congress that the president needs to do more to end the genocide. The resolution expresses that the United States should take all steps necessary to ending the conflict, including deployment of a NATO mission.

March

UN: the U.S. led Security Council action on Resolution 1663

Resolution 1663 seeks a speedy transition from AMIS to a larger UN peacekeeping operation as called for by the AU.

March 16

Congress voted in favor of amendment increasing funding for AU peacekeepers by $50 million

UN: US presented a draft resolution calling for sanctions imposed on four people implicated in the continuing genocide in Darfur.

China and Russia blocked the proposal.

UN: the U.S. led Security Council action on Resolution 1672

The Security Council approved Resolution 1672 which applies targeted sanctions in the form of a travel ban and asset freeze on four specific individuals responsible for committing heinous crimes on the people of Darfur.

House passed Darfur Peace and Accountability Act

The Act restates the U.S. government’s position that the Darfur conflict constitutes genocide, asks the government to expand the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur (AMIS) and give the force a stronger mandate, including more generous logistical support. It also directs the government to assist the International Criminal Court to bring justice to those guilty of war crimes in Darfur.

May

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State helped orchestrate accord between SLA and government of Sudan.

On May 5, the government of Sudan signed an accord with the Sudan Liberation Army. However, the agreement was rejected by two other, smaller groups, the Justice and Equality Movement and a rival faction of the SLA. The accord was orchestrated by the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick, Salim Ahmed Salim (working on behalf of the African Union), AU representatives, and other foreign officials operating in Abuja, Nigeria. The accord calls for the disarmament of the Janjaweed militia, and for the rebel forces to disband and be incorporated into the army. But the agreement, signed in Abuja, was rejected by a smaller SLM faction and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement.

June 8

(Congress votes against) House amendment to increase humanitarian aid to Darfur by $50 million

Congress voted against the amendment on June 8, 2006, by a vote of 198 to 225. (As the genocide continues in Darfur, the humanitarian situation worsens. In April 2006, aid organizations were forced to drastically cut food rations to refugees in the region).

July

U.S. committed $116 million to AMIS at Sudan donors’ conference in Brussels

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer announced a U.S. commitment of $116 million to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) at the Sudan donors’ conference in Brussels on July 18.

U.S. said it won’t fund AU peacekeeping force past September 2006

At a UN donor conference in Brussels, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer stated that the United States would not fund the AU peacekeeping force past September 2006.

August

U.S. Envoy Bolton pressed UN Security Council for resolution to authorize and set deployment date for peacekeeping operation

After a closed-door Security Council meeting on Darfur August 28, Bolton said that the United States has exerted considerable diplomatic effort to accommodate the concerns of Sudan and some members of the Security Council, but "there comes a time ultimately when you have to stand up and vote."[8]

U.S. and Britain introduced Security Council resolution to send U.N. peacekeepers to Darfur.

Sudan's ruling party rejected the draft resolution a week later.

September 13

Senate unanimously passed resolution urging Bush to call on UN to deploy peacekeeping troops to Darfur and for NATO to enforce no-fly zone.

The resolution called on the president and the United Nations to take immediate steps to end the genocide in Darfur. Specifically, the resolution calls on the UN to deploy peacekeeping troops to the region as soon as possible. It also urges the president to work with NATO and the UN to enforce a no-fly zone in Darfur.

While the resolution is nonbinding, it recommends several important measures that President Bush should enforce to protect civilians in Darfur.

September 26

House passed resolution urging Bush to appoint Special Envoy

H.R. 992: introduced by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA). There were 108 co-sponsors of the bill. The bill passed on Sept. 26, 2006, by a 414 to 3 vote.

The resolution urged the president to appoint a Presidential Special Envoy to Sudan. Shortly after the resolution passed, President Bush appointed former USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios as the Special Envoy to Sudan. This position ensures that the genocide remains a high priority for the administration.

House passed resolution calling for UN peacekeeping force in Darfur

HR 723: introduced by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and passed by a 412 to 7 vote.

The resolution called on the UN to provide a robust peacekeeping mission in Darfur as soon as possible. H. Res. 723 urged the President to help deploy a NATO bridging force to protect civilians until a UN force can be fully deployed

October 13

Bush signed Darfur Peace and Accountability Act into law

S. 1462: the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (DPAA) was introduced on July 21, 2005, by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS). There were 38 senators who co-sponsored the bill. The Senate passed the DPAA by unanimous consent. A conference committee later revised the bill and removed Section 11, which would have protected states that divested from the worst-offending companies conducting business in Sudan.

This revised bill was passed in the Senate on Sept. 21, 2006 by unanimous consent. The DPAA was signed into law on Oct. 13, 2006.

The bill imposes sanctions against officials the president identifies as responsible for the genocide and urges the President to deny US port entry to any ships engaged in business in Sudan’s oil sector.

Bush issued Executive Order 13412[9] strengthening some sanctions on the government of Sudan

“Pursuant to IEEPA and the NEA, I determined that the Government of Sudan continues to implement policies and actions that violate human rights, in particular with respect to the conflict in Darfur, where the Government of Sudan exercises administrative and legal authority and pervasive practical influence, and that the Government of Sudan has a pervasive role in the petroleum and petrochemical industries in Sudan. In light of these determinations, and in order to reconcile sections 7 and 8 of the DPAA, I issued this order to continue the country wide blocking of the Government of Sudan's property and to prohibit transactions relating to the petroleum and petrochemical industries in Sudan”

2007Generally

U.S. is funding of 25% of the cost of the hybrid UN-AU Darfur peacekeeping operation.

U.S. has been responsible for the construction and maintenance of 34 Darfur base camps for the over 7,000 AU peacekeepers.

U.S. has provided 40,000 metric tons of food aid monthly, as the largest food donor.

Since the conflict began, the U.S. has provided more than $1.7 billion in humanitarian and peacekeeping assistance for Darfur. The U.S. is the world's largest single donor to the people of Darfur. [10]

FY ‘07

$4 billion in aid since 2005

U.S. has provided over $4 billion in humanitarian, peacekeeping, and development assistance to Sudan and Eastern Chad since 2005.

March 8

Sudan Divestment Authorization Act

S.831: Introduced by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

The bill supports state and local efforts to divest from companies that do business with the Khartoum government. The underlying objective is to make clear that Congress did not intend to foreclose or preempt state and local Sudan divestment efforts and that such local efforts are not incompatible with federal sanctions law.

March 15

Genocide Accountability Act passed by unanimous Senate consent

S.888: Introduced by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL). The bill had five co-sponsors, Senators Coburn, Cornyn, Feingold, Kennedy and Leahy. The bill was passed by the Senate by unanimous consent on March 29, 2007.

The bill seeks to close a legal loophole that prevents the U.S. Justice Department from prosecuting people in the United States who have committed genocide in other countries.

April

U.S. and Britain threaten Sudan with sanctions and other punitive measures

…unless it agrees to accept a robust U.N. peacekeeping force.

Bush gave speech at Holocaust Memorial Museum criticizing Sudanese government and threatening sanctions

Bush stated that "The time for promises is over — President Bashir must act." According to Bush, failure to do so would result in sanctions barring all dollar transactions between the United States and Sudan and block interaction with 29 Sudanese businesses.

Senate Resolution 203: introduced by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ). The bill had 27 co-sponsors and passed by the Senate by unanimous consent on July 30, 2007.

The bill calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan.

May 29

Bush announced further economic and diplomatic sanctions against Sudanover the Darfur situation.

The measures list 31 companies that are doing business with Sudan, in some cases supplying arms. It is now illegal for any U.S. citizen or company to do business with these 31 enterprises. The U.S. is almost going it alone at this point. China and other Security Council members criticize the sanctions and even Britain, while toying with the idea, does not go along.

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Christian Davenport's Caveat Civis - Citizen Beware

Given the elusive nature of state repression, it is crucial to be constantly aware of information as it becomes available. This is not always easy to do and with the different tactics, perpetrators, locations and victims of domestic spying, torture, arrest, detention, disappearances and mass killing, it is necessary to keep one's eyes open, along with one's mind - Citizen's Beware. The data is out there. We just need to find it and figure out what it means.